Zambia Youth Literacy Rate
Literacy rate among youth ages 15-24 SE.ADT.1524.LT.ZS
Zambia's youth literacy rate was 85.64% in 2025, ranked 58th globally. This represents a 0.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Zambia's youth literacy rate stood at 85.64% in 2025, a decline of +0.08pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 85.64% by 2025. Zambia ranked 58th globally.
Zambia’s youth literacy rate has risen markedly from 66.38 % in 1990, the lowest point recorded, to 85.64 % in 2025, placing the country 58th globally. The ascent peaked in 2010 at 88.71 %, a level that still exceeds the current figure but demonstrates the durability of progress achieved through expanded primary education and targeted literacy programmes. Compared with peers, Zambia trails Timor‑Leste’s 87.22 % and Tanzania’s 87.54 % while remaining ahead of Guinea‑Bissau’s 83.74 %, indicating a moderate standing within the regional cohort. The 11‑year coverage of the data reflects sustained improvements, yet the slight decline from the 2010 apex suggests that maintaining gains will require continued investment in teacher quality, curriculum relevance, and outreach to marginalised communities. If such policies are reinforced, the upward trajectory of youth literacy is likely to resume, potentially narrowing the gap with higher‑ranking neighbours.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Literacy Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 85.83% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 85.64% | - | - |
| 2025 | 85.64% | −0.08pp | #58 |
| 2023 | 85.71% | +1.23pp | #31 |
| 2022 | 84.48% | +0.34pp | #50 |
| 2021 | 84.15% | −1.71pp | #39 |
| 2020 | 85.86% | +1.82pp | #38 |
| 2019 | 84.04% | +6.35pp | #51 |
| 2018 | 77.69% | −11.02pp | #47 |
| 2010 | 88.71% | +19.62pp | #36 |
| 2002 | 69.09% | −0.37pp | #22 |
| 1999 | 69.46% | +3.08pp | #8 |
| 1990 | 66.38% | – | #15 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Zambia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw youth literacy rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Zambia's youth literacy rate was 85.64% in 2025. Ranked 58th globally. This represents a 0.1% decrease from the previous year.
Zambia's youth literacy rate peaked at 88.71% in 2010.
The lowest youth literacy rate in Zambia was 66.38% in 1990.
Zambia ranks 58th globally in youth literacy rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.ADT.1524.LT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Zambia's youth literacy rate is projected to reach 85.64% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth literacy rate of Zambia in 2025 was 85.64%. This ranks 58th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_zambia_youth-literacy-rate,
title = {Zambia Youth Literacy Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/zambia/youth-literacy-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}